Week Seven:

REQUIRED READING NOTES

"How Internet Infrastructure Works" by Jeff Tyson
 http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/internet-infrastructure.htm

• The Internet is a global collection of networks, big and small. they connect in different ways to form the single entity known by interconnected networks.
• The Internet Society is a non-profit group est. in 1992 to oversee the formation of the policies and protocols of the Internet (how we use and interact)
• This article looks to define the basic underlying structure of the Internet [domain serves, network access points]
• Computers are connected to a network, via a modem - dials local number to connect to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). 
• work usually uses Local Area Networks (LANs) to connect to the ISP.
• Many large companies have their own Point of Presence (POP) to place local users to a company's network. 
• there is no existing overall controlling network, instead there are several networks connecting through the Network Access Points (NAPs)
• provides example of internet networking
• All networks rely on NAP, routers, etc to communicate. routers determine where to send information from one computer to another. they are specialized computers. there are two jobs for routers:
• it ensures information does not go where it its not needed. 
• makes sure that information does make it to intended destination.
• The National Science Foundation created the first high-speed backbone in 1987.
• NSFNET - T1 line connected to 170 smaller networks and was developed by IBM
• backbones are the most important feature of network communication
• All machines on the Internet has a unique identification #, IP Address. (internet protocol)
• IP addresses are normally expressed in decimal format. this is translated via binary code in the actual network.
• Any server machine makes its services available using number ports.

"Dismantling Integrated Library Systems" by Andrew K. Pace
 http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2004/02/ljarchives/dismantling-integrated-library-systems/

• Author claims the integrated library system has been dismantled since its evolution in the early 1990s. 
• "the old technology of the ILS clashed with new web technologies"
• Web creates opportunities and challenges that are fueling the changes in the ILS. -> new modules out of frustration are being built from the dismantling of the integrated systems.
• Much issue resides in the vendor's own modules and with a library's homegrown solutions.
• Maintaining a competitive advantage takes much work, such as continuing ILS software upgrades and fierce competition for new name sales.
• It is unrealistic to create a completely new ILS.
• Librarians are motivated for solutions because of healthy competition with peers. Libraries are forced to look at new technology to purchase a standalone product.
• "Innovation will have to come via integration with new technology"
• Libraries can benefit from new solutions in vendor markets.
• Vendors have two choices: continue to maintain large systems that use proprietary methods of interoperability and promise tight integration of services OR choose to dismantle their modules in a way that librarians can reintegrate their systems through web services and standards, combining new with old.

TED Talk: The Genesis of Google (Inside the Google machine) by Sergey Brin and Larry Page
http://www.ted.com/talks/sergey_brin_and_larry_page_on_google

• I really liked the behind the scenes look at how Google has morphed into this large system of integrated users. The dot process of when someone on Google conducting searches is pretty crazy, I am sure it is constantly on. 
• There was a lot of interesting information in this TED talk because Google has perfected that algorithm of networks and its related searches.

Thoughts 

Tyson's article was easier to read than I expected it to be, I enjoyed the lexicon and know this information will help me in my career as a librarian. Dismantling the library integrated system is complicated, but nonetheless an extremely important aspect of the changing library sciences.